Do I need sand in my Fuge?

[Super NooB]

Does it really help that much?

[gps]

Deep sand bed 2"+ can help reduce nitrate.

[glockcoma]

I was told that sand is no good due to shortning life of the return pump and clogging the return pump, not sure if its true, I still havent tried it cause my trates stay at zero with just cheato in the fuge, also I've been thinking of putting miracle mud, but that dirt is so expensive.